Gilpin, William S.: Practical hints upon landscape gardening: with some remarks on domestic architecture, as connected with scenery (London: Cadell [u.a.], 1835)

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LANDSCAPE GARDENING.

line or gentle curve of the former, and the
oval or circular figure of the latter, which
have so generally prevailed. The beauty of
a wood depends mainly on the beauty of its
outline : and that outline requires a variety,
which can never be found in an insipid sweep,
but which arises from the contrast of projec-
tion and recess ; remembering that small
variations will not correct the insipidity, and
that the effect will be good in proportion to
the boldness of the contrast. These recesses,
again, should vary from each other both in
size and character; but, in all. an angular ab-
ruptness should be preferred to a smoother
form : and, above all, the connection of the
several parts into one harmonious whole
should be ever kept in view. The nature of
the lower growths, as thorn, holly, &c., is
essentially useful in producing these varieties
of character, by giving density to some parts,
whilst others will admit the eye through the
boles of the more open grove into the in-
terior of the wood; thus producing that
variety and intricacy which a natural wood
seldom fails to exhibit.
It is very necessary to notice an error too
prevalent in forming large masses of wood ; I